Rail strike disrupts Lewes bonfire night

STRIKING railway workers were labelled “spiteful and vindictive” last night after a walkout disrupted Britain’s largest bonfire night celebration.

The annual event in Lewes was affected by the walkout by Southern Rail staff which meant trains did not serve the East Sussex town after midday.

Seven bonfire societies unite annually on November 5 in an event that typically sees around 30,000 revellers descend on the town.

However attendance was expected to be significantly lower this year due to the strike.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) undertook the 48-hour action in an ongoing dispute about the role of conductors.

Many frustrated people took to Twitter to say they would be staying away.

Matthew Smith wrote: “So, the Lewes bonfire is going to be smaller this year because of the rail strike. Are they going to have a #SouthernRail themed Guy?”

David Masheder added: “@SouthernRailUK thanks for your strike today … won’t be able to take my young daughters to Lewes bonfire tonight as you’re not stopping there”.

Others took to social media to complain about the losses to charities who rely on takings from the event.

No trains or replacement buses served the East Sussex town or several neighbouring stations from midday onwards, while visitors were further disrupted by road closures between 5pm and 1am on Sunday morning.

Jonathan Spencer, of the Bevern Trust which fundraises for the disabled at the event, said the charity needed “every penny” donated, and a lower attendance would hit funds.

About 30,000 people took part in the celebration last year, with about half that number commuting by train, a Sussex Police spokeswoman said.

But numbers were expected to be down this year owing to the RMT.

A Southern Rail spokesman condemned the latest stoppage as “spiteful and vindictive” and warned of disruption to services even though it is to run more trains than in previous strikes.

The bonfire night party originates from the burning at the stake of 17 Protestant martyrs in Lewes between 1555 and 1557.